on the second trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the second trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the occurrence of an event or action during the second attempt or test of something. Example: "The experiment yielded successful results on the second trial, confirming our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

One of Epstein's examples is a man who was taking the first anti-Aids drug, AZT, to control the onset of his Aids-related dementia, but also wanted to try a drug to prevent him going blind due to an Aids-related eye infection: his doctor said he would have to stop taking the AZT in order to be enrolled on the second trial.

The Guardian

The twelve-person jury on the second trial was reportedly identical to that of the first in terms of racial and gender composition, but the second appeared to skew a bit younger, with more millennials in the mix — which was perhaps significant, given the much-noted generation gap in levels of support for #MeToo.

The New Yorker

If the animal responded correctly on the first trial, then on the second trial it would only have to choose the same object to be correct thereafter; if the monkey made an error on the first trial, then the other object would inexorably be the one that should be chosen next.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the solution of each successive problem required the animals to discriminate between two previously unfamiliar objects, performance tended to improve on successive tasks; the monkeys made increasing numbers of correct choices on the second trial of each problem as the process continued.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This index was observed, however, on the first trial after participants had switched tasks, rather than on the second trial, as has been observed previously.

NeuroImage

Using a cross-over design with two days between injections, we found that insulin (0.4 μU/mouse) significantly reduced food intake relative to vehicle in mice that received vehicle on the first and insulin on the second trial, whereas this effect was absent in mice that received insulin on the first and vehicle on the second trial.

Physiology & Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Only one bonobo and one orangutan solved the problem on the first trial and were above chance in the whole session.

Animal Cognition

The difference between mean firing direction on the first and the second trial was calculated for each cell.

Current Biology

This was the second trial on the charges for Mr. Rhodes; the first ended in a mistrial.

The New York Times

The second trial concluded on March 15.

The New York Times

The animals were again given an additional day of passive training (one striped wall) before repeating the two striped wall probe test on the fourth trial of the next session (i.e., Retest).

Behavioral Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the second trial", ensure that the context clearly establishes the existence of a first trial. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands that a repetition or follow-up is being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "on the second trial" interchangeably with phases like "during the second trial" when the intention is to describe characteristics present throughout the entire second testing phase and not exclusively something that occurs at the single moment of a trial. Using the wrong word can lead to misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the second trial" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, supporting its role in defining the timing of events within a sequence of trials.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the second trial" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a specific point in a sequence of attempts or experiments. As Ludwig AI affirms, its usage is widespread and appropriate across various domains, notably in science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure there is a clear indication of a preceding first trial to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "in the second attempt" or "during the second experiment" can offer variety while maintaining clarity. Steer clear of using it interchangeably with terms describing extended phases within a trial. By understanding its function, purpose, and common contexts, writers can effectively integrate "on the second trial" into their work for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the second attempt

Replaces "trial" with "attempt", focusing on the act of trying again.

at the second attempt

Changes the preposition from "on" to "at" while keeping the meaning similar.

on the subsequent attempt

Uses "subsequent" to denote the following attempt, maintaining formality.

following the first trial

Emphasizes the sequential aspect, indicating what comes after the initial trial.

during the second experiment

Substitutes "trial" with "experiment", specifying a scientific context.

in the second iteration

Replaces "trial" with "iteration", suitable for processes involving repetition.

after the initial run

Uses "run" as a synonym for trial, implying a test or execution.

upon the second try

Offers a more informal alternative using "try" instead of "trial".

with the second testing

Focuses on the act of testing, using a gerund form.

on the retry

A shortened, more concise version indicating a repeated attempt.

FAQs

How to use "on the second trial" in a sentence?

You can use "on the second trial" to indicate what happened during the second attempt or test of something. For example, "The subject responded more quickly "on the second trial" than on the first."

What can I say instead of "on the second trial"?

Alternatives include "in the second attempt", "during the second test", or "following the first trial". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at the second trial" instead of "on the second trial"?

While "at the second trial" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""on the second trial"" is more common and idiomatic. It is also more common to say "at the second attempt" instead of "on the second attempt".

What's the difference between "on the second trial" and "in the second trial"?

"On the second trial" generally refers to a specific action or event that occurred during that particular trial. "In the second trial" can refer to a condition or state existing throughout the second trial.